Dear Author,
These two men have been through so much for the chance to truly be together - hiding no longer. Can you share a peek into their triumphant story and let us see who they are and who is watching over them in the world they can finally share?

Photo Description: Two naked sandy men kiss on the beach as men stand near. The crew-cut top cradles his dark-haired partner and almost blocks him from view. The other hooks his leg and arms around the first. He wears a ring on his pinky finger.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4.
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Genre: contemporary
Tags: gay m/m, military men, business men-lawyers, in-the-closet, over age 40, reunion, long lost love, childhood sweethearts, coming out, don't ask don't tell
Warnings: implied het, infidelity (involving a main character)
Word Count: 9,322